Outlet box or fixture.



L. W. CRGMPTON 6L E. N. OLIVER.

OUTLET BOX 0R FIXTURE.

L w. CROMPTON L E. N. QL'IVER.

OUTLET 80X 0R FiXTURE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LIONEL W. CROMPTON AND EARLE N. OLIVER, OF TAMPA, FLORIDA.

OUTLET BOX 0R FIXTURE.

Application filed May 1, 1915.

l 1o all whom t may concern Be it known that we, LIONEL W. Cnoair- 'roN and EARLr. N. OLIVER, citizens of the United States, residing at Tampa, in the county of Hillsboro and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Outlet Boxes or Fixtures, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to electric wiring fixtures, and more particularly to a new and improved outlet box or fixture for use in. -the walls or ceilings of a building or dwellinfr.

The primary object of our invention is to provide an outlet fixture for facilitating the connection and support of electric conductors or for supporting a. chandelier or the like.

Another obj ect 0f our invention is to provide an improved outlet fixture having means associated therewith for holding the electric conductors in fixed position to prevent dislodgrnent or short circuiting of the wiring system.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved wiring fixture which is adapted for use in connection with that system of wiring known as the loop system, wherein a plurality of electric lamps or branch circuits are connected in multiple on a single line, it being necessary in the devices as at present used to scrape the insulation from the looped conductors and permanently attach branch wires or conductors thereto, this not` only presenting a rather unneat appearance when exposed but also rendering the system easily susceptible to short circuit or the like.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a fixture having means associated therewith whereby the branch conductors may be detachably connected with the main conductors, also supporting, clamping, insulating and protecting members being provided and associated in a manner more fully described hereinafter.

lVith the above and other objects in view our invention resides preferably in the construction, coinbination, and arrangement of parts as hereinafter' set forth in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the floor and ceiling of a building` showing one application of our improved outlet fixture.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

Serial No. 25,202.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the fixture in position.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of our invention showing the protectilng cap removed.

Fig. L is a transverse sectional view of our improved fixture taken on the line l-t of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the protecting cap of the preferred form of our invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the wire holding member.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the clamping plates.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of our invention showing the same applied to a ceiling, the ceiling being in section.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of one of the fastening members of our invention.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which the preferred embodiment of our invention is illustrated1 the fioor of a dwelling is designated l and the ceiling 2,

the ceiling 2 being of any of the prevalent forms, our invention being applicable for use with any of the common forms of ceil ings or walls. The stringers or rafters of the dwelling are designated 3 and 4. It is to be understood that while our invention is shown as applied to a ceiling the scope of its uses is not necessarily limited to that shown.

The preferred embodiment of our invention comprises a relatively short conduit 5 the opposite extremities thereof threaded externally as indicated at 6 and 7, the lower extremity projecting through an aperture formed inthe ceiling 9., said aperture 8 being slightly larger in diameter than the conduit 5. A clamping plate 9 having a centrally threaded aperture l0 is disposed upon the threaded extremity 7 of the conduit 5 as shown to advantage in Fig. Z said clamping plate being disposed on the inner face of the ceiling 2 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

A second clamping plate is provided and comprises a disk-like member 11 having a laterally extending annular flange l2 on its periphery. The clamping plate il is provided With a plurality of apertures 13 for a purpose which uill hereinafter appear, said clamping plate also being provided with a centrally located aperture 1-l adjacent which is formed a laterally extending annular flange 15, said flange being internally threaded for engagement. as at 1G, Twith the threaded extremity 7 of the conduit 5. It will be noted that the outside diameter of the flange is such that the same will be snugly received in the ai erture 8 to prevent dust, dirt or moisture from passing therearound. It will be readilj.T obserred that in supporting the conduit 5 in position the plate 9 will first be disposed as shon'n and then the plate 11 threaded into position-r clamping the ceiling or the like 2 betn'een the annular flange 12 and the. plate 9 in the manner shown.

rThe structure above described may be formed of anysuitable material and need not be formed of insulating material. {owever. the structure hereinafter described is preferably formed of insulating material and includes means to support the electric conductors Within the conduit 5 as Well as means for facilitating connection of the conduits with a branch circuit. and a protecting and insulating cap therefor.

The clamping plate 1 is provided at any suitable point or points with a plurality of apertures designated 1T shown to advantage in Fig. 9. in insulating connector plate is provided and is designated 13, the plate 18 being preferably formed of a resilient material such as hard rubber, porcelain, or the like. The plate 18 is provided on its inner face With a plurality of projections 19 adapted for snug engagement in the apertures 1T of the plate 11, there preferably being as many projections 19 as there are apertures 1T so that a snug non-rattling engagement may be made between the plates. Each i of the projections 19 is provided With a concentrically arranged aperture extending Yertically therethrough and through the plate 18 and being designated 20. A protecting cap is provided and comprises a disklike element 21 preferably formed of insulating material and haring a laterally extending annular flange 22 formed on the periphery thereof, the inner face 23 being preferably in spaced relation to the plate 18 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The cap 21 is provided With a centrally located aperture 2l for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Bolts or the like fastening means 25 are disposed in suitable openings 2G formed in the cap 21 and extend through the apertures 20, said bolts 25 having nuts 27 on their inner extremities, said nuts bearing upon clamping iras-hers 28 preferably formed of insulating material. all kfor the purpose of retaining the clamping plate 11, the insulating connector plate 18, and the protecting cap 21 in snug engagement.

the inside diameter of the conduit 5 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Connecting lugs and 33 are carried by the insulating connector plate 18 and are substantially Y-shaped in configuration haying a plurality of connecting screws or the like associated therewith. The connecting lugs 32 and 33 are secured to the connector plate 18 by means of scren's or the like 3l and 35 respectively. The lug 82 is provided With a pair of connecting scren's or the like 3G and 37. The connecting lug 33 is likewise provided with a pair of connecting screws or the like 38 and 39. The main conductors of the Wiring system are designated -lO and are looped as indicated at al and 42, the looped portions thereof being free of insulating material and connected with the screws 3T and 38. The branch conductors 113 are connected to the screws 3G and 39 and are disposed through the aperture 2l in the cap 21 and in actual practice would preferably take the form of the usual flexible cord conductor designated 4st in Fig. 1, this form of our invention being particularly adapted for use in connection with drop lights and the like.

In order to prevent undue lateral morement of the conduit 5 We provide a strap internallyv threaded for engagement u'ith the threaded extremity G of the conduit 5 and provided With a plurality of radially extending apertured lugs 1G, to which are secured guy Wires 4-7 or similar retaining means, said guy wires being secured at 48 to the rafters 3 and Ll. The usual knob insulators are shown and designated 4:9 for supporting the conductors 40.

In order to prevent undue movement of the conductors in the conduit 5 we provide a clamping means which comprises a pair of disklike members 50 and 51. An internally threaded annularly flanged collar 52 is mounted upon the threaded extremity 6 of the conduit and is bolted or otherwise secured as indicated at 53 to the dielectric disk-like elements 50 and 51. One of the disk-like elements, or Wire holder. 51, is provided with a central aperture 54, the upper face of said disk 51 having a plurality of radially extending grooves or the like 55 adapted for reception of the conductors 40. In assembling the device the flanged collar 52 is threaded onto the conduit 5 and the wire holder 51 is disposed thereon. The conductors 40 are now placed in such of the grooves as may be convenient and the disk is bolted into position, clamping the conductors between the same and the wire holder 51. It will thus be seen that undue movement of the conductors is prevented, as well as ingress of moisture, dust, vermin and the like.

rl`he purpose of the apertures 13 will readily be appreciated from an inspection of Figs. 2 and l1, it being noted that the liability of short circuit owing to contact of the plate l1 with the connector screws is thereby obviated.

Attention is called to the fact that should it be desired the conductors 40 when looped within the conduit 5 may be stretched taut. To prevent contact of the conductors with the inner surface of the conduit 5, the tapered opening 31 has been provided as hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 8 we have illustrated a modified form of our invention. It is well known to those skilled in the art that in the use of outlet fixtures for chandeliers, piping, and the like, it is necessary that a supporting' bracket, commonly known as a crows foot, is employed. We have illustrated in Fig. 8 a structure of this type embodying a head 56, and radially extending arcuate legs 57 having base portions 58 formed in the usual manner. There are preferably three of these provided substantially at angles of 12()D apart. The base portions 58 are adapted for engagement, by means of bolts or the like 59 with the insulating connector and clamping plates 18 and 11. The supporting conduit of the usual form of depending light structure is designated 60 and is threaded into the head 56. The branch conductors are designated 61. In practical use, it is, of course, understood that the usual protecting canopy may be provided for presenting a pleasing appearance to the fixture as well as preventing access to the interior.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it is thought that a clear and comprehensive understandin of the construction, uses, and advantages o our invention may be readily gathered. It will be noted that the form of. the invention illustrated in Fig. 2 is not in the least changed in the modification illustrated in Fig. 8, this merely serving to illustrato the flexibility' of application of the device to various uses, it being noted that we are not limited to the exact form of protecting casing for supporting an attaching means, and that the device need not be utilized for electric light fixtures but may be, by enlargement, adapted for use in connection with devices requiring larger power, such as electric motors and the like.

While we have shown and described our invention as possessing a peculiar form and construction, it is desired that it be understood that we may make such changes in the details thereof as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. f

Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the ceiling and rafters, of an outlet box including a conduit with means for clamping the conduit to the ceiling, guys between the conduit and the rafters for steadying the conduit, connecting lugs in the outlet box for receiving the looped ends of the line wires, and clamping means on the conduit for holding the looped ends taut.

2. An outlet box including a conduit with a pair of clamp plates at one end for securing the conduit to a ceiling, connecting means for connecting the looped ends of wires in the conduit, a cap for the outlet box with openings for access to the connecting means, and combined covering means for the end of the conduit and clamping means for the wire ends, at the other end of the conduit.

3. The combination of the conduit with a clamp plate having openings, a dielectric connector plate superposed on the clamp plate over the openings and having an inwardly curved flange with an offset from the inner wall of the conduit, connector lugs recessed in the connector plate by fastening means adjacent to the clamp plate openings, and looped wire ends adapted to be secured to the connector lugs, the offset of the inwardly curved ange preventing contact of the wires with the conduit.

4. In an outlet box, the combination with the conduit, a grooved wire holder on the end of the conduit, and a disk for covering the grooves and clamping wires in place in the grooves.

5. In an outlet box, the combination with the conduit, of a fianged collar on the end of the conduit, an apertured wire holder with radial wire grooves leading from the aperture, a disk for covering the grooves, and means for clamping the wire holder and disk on the flanged collar.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LIONEL W. CROMPTON. EARLE N. OLIVER. Witnesses:

J E. ENDER, B. SINELT.

Copies ot this patent may be obtained tor ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o! Patente,

Washington, D. (2. 

